Up until today my brewhouse efficiency has been fairly consistent at about 64-66%. Today I tried a new recipe utilizing that information. Brewing software calculated this recipe as coming in at an original gravity at 1.057. Gravity reading at pre boil was 1.070. I cannot explain this, as I have not changed anything in my process. I will be using Wyeast 2112 California Lager for the yeast which says the top end original gravity should be 1.060. As I was expecting a gravity at 1.057 I did not make a starter. Will this yeast still work? Perhaps taking a bit longer in fermentation?
Perhaps consider pulling out and replacing volume with water before the boil ? Then save the wort you pulled for starter next time
How far along in the process are you? Are you done boiling? Did you Pitch?
Have not yet pitched, cooling right noe
Have you finished the boil ? If so, what was the post boil gravity? If you haven’t finished the boil, can you boil longer ? What is your target pre boil gravity supposed to be ?
Cooling right now will take a reading here shortly. Estimated pre boil gravity was 1.048
Once you’re done cooling and transferring to the Fermenter… I would double check how much yeast is needed. Either on MrMalty.com or BrewersFriend. If you’re going to end up under pitching with a single pack (sounds like you’re making a lager based on your yeast), I would go grab another pack. Last thing you want to do is under pitch a beer that’ll sit in the Fermenter for 4-6 weeks and end up disappointed…
OG came out to be 1.065, may have misread my hydrometer at pre boil. Or perhaps I need to replace it. Still a bit higher than the expected 1.057.
+1 on the underpitching. Throw another pack in with it just to be sure you get the best out of it. Let us know how it fairs out!
I seem to have a problem with pre-boil gravity readings with a hydrometer. I think it’s hard to get a well-mixed sample, and my readings often tend to come out lower than anticipated.
On one batch, I reacted to the lower-than-expected mash gravity reading, added some DME and ended up with a higher FG and higher estimated ABV than I had planned on.
On the next batch I also got a lower mash gravity reading, but ignored it by making no additions to boost gravity and my FG reading came out spot-on to my original calculations in excel.
As long as my FG readings match by original calculations, I plan to ignore mash gravity.
Are you pulling your gravity sample from the mash tun, or from the BK?
I pull my sample after I transfer to the kettle, I figured it would be better mixed at that point. It seems that my refractometer is the problem, it has consistently been about .01 lower than my hydrometer measurements.
Which is why I have 3 refractometers that sit unused.
I only use my refractometer for a quick and ballpark full kettle pre-boil reading.
I do BIAB and obtain the sample after I have pulled the grain bag and stirred the wort.